Wearable shade device

ABSTRACT

A wearable-device may include a housing, at least one strap connected to the housing, a canopy-system, an extension means and an actuator. The wearable-device may be useful for providing a hands-free portable canopy device for shading a user whilst also providing full use of their-hands, and for providing a hands-free extension means for extending the canopy device at a safe speed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/420,795 filed Nov. 11, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of portable canopies and more specifically relates to a hands-free portable canopy device.

2. Description of Related Art

Many people enjoy spending time in the sun, yet still desire protection from ultra-violet rays. Sun protective items are specifically designed for sun protection and are produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultra-violet protection. Factors that affect the level of sun protection provided by a fabric, in approximate order of importance, include weave, color, weight, stretch, and wetness. Many individuals prefer to use an umbrella or other device to shield their body from sun, rain, and heat. However, it can be difficult to hold an umbrella or sun canopy in the hands while working or trying to carry other items. Usually, users must operate an umbrella by holding on to the handle of the umbrella and either expanding it out by pressing a button or sliding a component. This may be cumbersome if the user has his or her hands tied and often requires the user to stop somewhere in order to get the umbrella to open. Thus, a suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0230569 to Steven Williams relates to a deployment system for a portable canopy. The described deployment system for portable canopy includes a backpack that fastens to the user. The system controllably holds the canopy, and the user orients the canopy to a desired direction and angle without the use of hands. The user controls the orientation of the canopy by bending, twisting, and swiveling. The canopy is supported by a frame. The frame joins with a central rod. A ring moves along the central rod to release or restrict the frame, and thereby enable a deployed position and a collapsed position. A canopy container contains the canopy and central rod. A deploy cord and a collapse cord extend from the canopy container to actuate the deployed and collapsed positions. The canopy container positions inside a carry container, like a backpack that attaches to a user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known portable canopies art, the present disclosure provides a novel wearable shade device. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a a hands-free portable canopy device for shading a user whilst also providing full use of their-hands, and for providing a hands-free extension means for extending the canopy device at a safe speed.

A wearable-device is disclosed herein. The wearable-device includes a housing which may include an inner-cavity defined by an elongated-body having an upper-end and a lower-end relative to the up-right position. At least one strap may be connected to the housing, configured to rest on the at least one shoulder of the user, and attach the wearable-device to the back of the user.

The wearable-device may further comprise a canopy-system which may include an extendable-shaft, the extendable-shaft having an upper-shaft end and a lower-shaft end, the upper-shaft end and the lower-shaft end orientated parallel relative to the upper-end and the lower-end of the elongated body, respectively. Further, a foldable-canopy may be fixedly attached to the upper-shaft end via a plurality of foldable-ribs. The foldable-canopy may be made from an air-permeable material. The canopy-system may include an extended-position and a retracted-position. The canopy-system may be disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing in the retracted-position, and configured to provide shelter to the user in the extended-position.

An extension-means may be disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing and configured to extend the extendable-shaft through the upper-end of the elongated-body and into the extended-position. Further, an actuator may be attached to the housing and in communication with the extension-means. The actuator may be configured to actuate the extension-means to extend the extendable-shaft.

A method of using the wearable-device is also disclosed herein. The method of using the wearable-device may comprise the steps of: providing the wearable-device as above; inserting an arm through the at least one strap to rest the at least one strap on at least one shoulder of a user, and attach the wearable-device to a back of the user; using the actuator to actuate the extension-means to extend the extendable-shaft; and sheltering under the foldable-canopy of the canopy-system in the extended-position.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a wearable shade device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the wearable-device during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear-side perspective view of the wearable-device illustrating a retracted-position and an extended-position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the wearable-device illustrating an interior view and an exterior view of the wearable-device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the wearable-device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear-side and front perspective view of the wearable-device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing of the wearable-device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the wearable-device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to portable canopies and more particularly to a wearable shade device as used to improve the hands-free use of portable canopy devices.

Generally disclosed is a hands-free awning that covers the body to protect individuals from sun, light, and rain. The device may be comprised of a canopy, two shoulder straps, and a remote control, which may allow a user to wear the canopy on the back, eliminating the need to hold an umbrella or other protective device. The remote control may extend and retract the canopy of the device at a safe speed.

Further, the device may be comprised of a retractable tube with an awning cover. The cover may be contained within the lightweight tube-like cylinder. The device may be made from a lightweight material with attached backpack-type straps that can be retracted and extended from the housing tube and can be enclosed with zippers. The remote control can also be included to control an internal electronic mechanism that may extend and retract the canopy at a safe speed over the user's head and body when needed. The canopy portion may further include a lift-up flap for windy conditions.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a wearable-device 100.

FIG. 1 shows a wearable-device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the wearable-device 100 may include a housing 110, at least one strap 120, a canopy-system 130, an extension-means 140, and an actuator 150. As shown, the at least one strap 120 may be connected to the housing 110 and configured to rest on the at least one shoulder 20 of the user 40 to attach the wearable-device 100 to the back 15 of the user 40.

According to one embodiment, the wearable-device 100 may be arranged as a kit. The kit 105 may include a set of user instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the wearable-device 100 (such that the wearable-device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the wearable-device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown here is a retracted position 139 and an extended-position 138 of the canopy-system 130. The housing 110 may include an inner-cavity 111 (FIG. 3) defined by an elongated-body 112, the elongated body 10 having an upper-end 113 and a lower-end 114 relative to the up-right position 5. The housing 110 may be cylindrical in shape and contoured to rest upon the back 15 of the user 40 (as demonstrated in FIG. 1).

The canopy-system 130 may include an extendable-shaft 131 having an upper-shaft end 132 and a lower-shaft end 133, the upper-shaft end 132 and the lower-shaft end 133 orientated parallel relative to the upper-end 113 and the lower-end 114 of the elongated body 10, respectively. Further, the canopy-system 130 may include a foldable-canopy 134 fixedly attached to the upper-shaft end 132 via a plurality of foldable-ribs 135 (FIG. 4).

In a preferred embodiment, the canopy-system 130 may include the extended-position 138 and the retracted-position 139. The canopy-system 130 may disposed within the inner-cavity 111 of the housing 110 in the retracted-position 139, and the canopy-system 130 may be configured to provide shelter to the user 40 in the extended-position 138.

Further, the foldable-canopy 134 may include an open-position 145 and a closed-position 146. In this embodiment, the foldable-canopy 134 may be in the open-position 145 when the canopy-system 130 is in the extended position and the foldable-canopy 134 may be in the closed-position 146 when the canopy-system 130 is in the retracted-position 139.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a front perspective view of the wearable-device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown here is the extension means 140 according to one embodiment, and the actuator 150 illustrated attached to the housing 110. As shown, the extension-means 140 may be disposed within the inner-cavity 111 of the housing 110 and configured to extend the extendable-shaft 131 through the upper-end 113 of the elongated-body 112 and into the extended-position 138. As shown, the upper-end 113 of the housing 110 may include a cap 115 configured to secure the canopy-system 130 in the retracted-position 139.

In the preferred embodiment, the extension-means 140 may be a spring-loaded mechanism. In another embodiment, the extension-means 140 may be an electrical motor and the wearable-device may further include a power-supply to power the electrical motor (not shown in the figures). In this embodiment, the actuator 150 may be electrically-coupled to the electrical motor.

The actuator 150 may be attached to the housing 110 in communication with the extension-means 140. Further, the actuator 150 may be configured to actuate the extension-means 140 to extend the extendable-shaft 131. In the preferred embodiment, the remote-control device may be attached to the housing 110 via a retractable cord 151. Further, the remote-control device may include a fastener to secure the remote-control device to the housing 110 for safety. In a further embodiment, the actuator 150 may be the remote-control device external to the wearable-device.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the wearable-device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As demonstrated, the foldable-canopy 134 may further include a plurality of wind-flaps 137 disposed around an outer-surface of the foldable-canopy 134. The wind-flaps 137 may be particularly useful for high-wind conditions to prevent the foldable-canopy 134 from turning in on itself.

Also demonstrated here is the plurality of foldable-ribs 135. The plurality of foldable-ribs 135 may be configured to collapse to retract the foldable-canopy 134 into the closed-position 146, and similarly, they may be configured to straighten to extend the foldable-canopy 134 into the open-position 145. As demonstrated, the foldable-canopy 134 may be made from an air-permeable material 136. In the preferred embodiment, the air-permeable material 136 may be a mesh material.

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of the wearable-device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the at least one strap 120 may be connected to the housing 110 and configured to rest on the at least one shoulder 20 of the user 40 to attach the wearable-device to the back 15 of the user 40 (FIG. 1). The housing 110 may further include a pocket 116 located on an outer-surface of the housing 110. In this embodiment, the at least one strap 120 may be configured to retract within the pocket 116. Further, the pocket 116 may include a fastening mechanism 117 for retaining the at least one strap 120 within the pocket 116. As illustrated here, the fastening mechanism 117 may be a zipper.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using 600 a wearable-device for sheltering a user in an up-right position 5, the user including a body 10 having a back 15 and at least one shoulder 20, the method 600 comprising the steps of: step one 601, providing the wearable-device 100 as above; step two 602, inserting an arm through the at least one strap 120 to rest the at least one strap 120 on the at least one shoulder 20 of the user 40, and attach the wearable-device 100 to the back 15 of the user 40; step three 603, using the actuator 150 to actuate the extension-means 140 to extend the extendable-shaft 131; and step four 604, sheltering under the foldable-canopy 134 of the canopy-system 130 in the extended-position 138. Further steps may include step five 605, using the actuator 150 to actuate the extension-means 140 to retract the extendable-shaft 131, and step six 606, securing the canopy-system 130 within the inner-cavity of the housing 110 via a cap 115.

It should be noted that step five 605 and step six 606 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 600 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 6 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 600. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for wearable-device 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A wearable-device for sheltering a user in an up-right position, the user including a body having a back and at least one shoulder, the wearable-device comprising: a housing including an inner-cavity defined by an elongated-body, the elongated-body having an upper-end and a lower-end relative to the up-right position; at least one strap connected to the housing, the at least one strap being configured to rest on the at least one shoulder of the user, and the at least one strap further being configured to attach the wearable-device to the back of the user; a canopy-system including: an extendable-shaft, the extendable-shaft having an upper-shaft end and a lower-shaft end, the upper-shaft end and the lower-shaft end orientated parallel relative to the upper-end and the lower-end of the elongated body, respectively; a foldable-canopy fixedly attached to the upper-shaft end via a plurality of foldable-ribs, the foldable-canopy being made from an air-permeable material; wherein the canopy-system further includes an extended-position and a retracted-position; wherein the canopy-system is disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing in the retracted-position; and wherein the canopy-system is configured to provide shelter to the user in the extended-position; an extension-means disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing, the extension-means being configured to extend the extendable-shaft through the upper-end of the elongated-body and into the extended-position; and an actuator attached to the housing and being in communication with the extension-means, the actuator being configured to actuate the extension-means to extend the extendable-shaft.
 2. The wearable-device of claim 1, wherein the extension-means is a spring-loaded mechanism.
 3. The wearable-device of claim 1, wherein the extension-means is an electrical motor, and the wearable-device further includes a power-supply to power the electrical motor.
 4. The wearable-device of claim 3, wherein the actuator is electrically-coupled to the electrical motor.
 5. The wearable-device of claim 4, wherein the actuator is a remote-control device external to the wearable-device.
 6. The wearable-device of claim 5, wherein the remote-control device is attached to the housing via a retractable cord.
 7. The wearable-device of claim 1, wherein the air-permeable material is a mesh material.
 8. The wearable-device of claim 1, wherein the foldable-canopy further includes a plurality of wind-flaps disposed around an outer-surface of the foldable-canopy.
 9. The wearable-device of claim 8, wherein the foldable-canopy further includes an open-position and a closed-position; wherein the foldable-canopy is in the open-position when the canopy-system is in the extended position; and wherein the foldable-canopy is in the closed-position when the canopy-system is in the extended position.
 10. The wearable-device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of foldable-ribs is configured to collapse to retract the foldable-canopy into the closed-position; and wherein the plurality of foldable-ribs is configured to straighten to extend the foldable-canopy into the open-position.
 11. The wearable-device of claim 1, wherein the housing is contoured to rest upon the back of the user.
 12. The wearable-device of claim 1, wherein the upper-end of the housing includes a cap configured to secure the canopy-system in the closed-position.
 13. The wearable-device of claim 12, wherein the housing is cylindrical in shape.
 14. The wearable-device of claim 13, wherein the housing further includes a pocket located on an outer-surface.
 15. The wearable-device of claim 14, wherein the at least one strap is configured to retract within the pocket.
 16. The wearable-device of claim 15, wherein the pocket further includes a fastening mechanism for retaining the at least one strap within the pocket.
 17. A wearable-device for sheltering a user in an up-right position, the user including a body having a back and at least one shoulder, the wearable-device comprising: a housing including an inner-cavity defined by an elongated-body, the elongated-body having an upper-end and a lower-end relative to the up-right position; at least one strap connected to the housing, the at least one strap being configured to rest on the at least one shoulder of the user, and the at least one strap further being configured to attach the wearable-device to the back of the user; a canopy-system including: an extendable-shaft, the extendable-shaft having an upper-shaft end and a lower-shaft end, the upper-shaft end and the lower-shaft end orientated parallel relative to the upper-end and the lower-end of the elongated body, respectively; a foldable-canopy fixedly attached to the upper-shaft end via a plurality of foldable-ribs, the foldable-canopy being made from an air-permeable material; wherein the canopy-system further includes an extended-position and a retracted-position; wherein the canopy-system is disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing in the retracted-position; and wherein the canopy-system is configured to provide shelter to the user in the extended-position; an extension-means disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing, the extension-means being configured to extend the extendable-shaft through the upper-end of the elongated-body and into the extended-position; an actuator attached to the housing and being in communication with the extension-means, the actuator being configured to actuate the extension-means to extend the extendable-shaft; and wherein the extension-means is a spring-loaded mechanism; wherein the remote-control device is attached to the housing via a retractable cord; wherein the air-permeable material is a mesh material; wherein the foldable-canopy further includes a plurality of wind-flaps disposed around an outer-surface of the foldable-canopy; wherein the foldable-canopy further includes an open-position and a closed-position; wherein the foldable-canopy is in the open-position when the canopy-system is in the extended position; wherein the foldable-canopy is in the closed-position when the canopy-system is in the extended position; wherein the plurality of foldable-ribs is configured to collapse to retract the foldable-canopy into the closed-position; wherein the housing is cylindrical in shape; wherein the housing further includes a pocket located on an outer-surface; wherein the at least one strap is configured to retract within the pocket; and wherein the pocket further includes a fastening mechanism for retaining the at least one strap within the pocket.
 18. The wearable-device of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the wearable-device is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of using a wearable-device for sheltering a user in an up-right position, the user including a body having a back and at least one shoulder, the method comprising the steps of: providing the wearable-device including: a housing including an inner-cavity defined by an elongated-body, the elongated-body having an upper-end and a lower-end relative to the up-right position; at least one strap connected to the housing, the at least one strap being configured to rest on the at least one shoulder of the user, and the at least one strap further being configured to attach the wearable-device to the back of the user; a canopy-system including: an extendable-shaft, the extendable-shaft having an upper-shaft end and a lower-shaft end, the upper-shaft end and the lower-shaft end orientated parallel relative to the upper-end and the lower-end of the elongated body, respectively; a foldable-canopy fixedly attached to the upper-shaft end via a plurality of foldable-ribs, the foldable-canopy being made from an air-permeable material; wherein the canopy-system further includes an extended-position and a retracted-position; wherein the canopy-system is disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing in the retracted-position; and wherein the canopy-system is configured to provide shelter to the user in the extended-position; an extension-means disposed within the inner-cavity of the housing, the extension-means being configured to extend the extendable-shaft through the upper-end of the elongated-body and into the extended-position; and an actuator attached to the housing and being in communication with the extension-means, the actuator being configured to actuate the extension-means to extend the extendable-shaft; inserting an arm through the at least one strap to rest the at least one strap on the at least one shoulder of the user, and attach the wearable-device to the back of the user; using the actuator to actuate the extension-means to extend the extendable-shaft; sheltering under the foldable-canopy of the canopy-system in the extended-position.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: using the actuator to actuate the extension-means to retract the extendable-shaft; securing the canopy-system within the inner-cavity of the housing via a cap. 